Heron Lake, MN Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Heron Lake Safe?
Yes — Heron Lake is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Heron Lake has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 526.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 526
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
50% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 182
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
70% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Heron Lake Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Heron Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Heron Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Heron Lake zip codes.
Heron Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Heron Lake, MN?
Heron Lake, MN has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 526 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 182 chance for property crime. Heron Lake has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Heron Lake, MN safe to live in?
Heron Lake is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Heron Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Heron Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Heron Lake is 190.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 50% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 526 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (50% below average); aggravated assault at 131.6 per 100K (51% below average); robbery at 35.4 per 100K (52% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Heron Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Heron Lake is 549.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 182 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 140.0 per 100K (48% below average); larceny/theft at 304.5 per 100K (78% below average); vehicle theft at 105.1 per 100K (67% below average).
How does Heron Lake crime compare to the national average?
Heron Lake's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (39% below average), while larceny/theft is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Heron Lake has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Heron Lake safe to visit?
Heron Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 70% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Heron Lake crime compare to the rest of Minnesota?
Minnesota as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Heron Lake's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical Minnesota city.
What type of crime is most common in Heron Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Heron Lake, with an estimated rate of 304.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 78% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (550 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (190 per 100K) in Heron Lake, which is consistent with national trends.